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Thursday, January 31, 2013

BBC Worldwide have announced details of the upcoming Special Edition DVD release of The Aztecs. It hits the streets in the UK on March 11 with an RRP of £20.42 and also includes Galaxy 4 - a shortened reconstruction of the missing story, using off-screen stills, audio recordings and animation plus the recently recovered complete episode three to tell the story. Click on the cover for a bigger version.

Disc 1
• 4 x 25 mins approx monochrome episodes with mono audio. Optional Arabic soundtrack for episode four only.
• Commentary - stereo. With actors William Russell and Carole Ann Ford, producer Verity Lambert OBE.
• Remembering The Aztecs - Actors John Ringham, Ian Cullen and Walter Randall recall the production of the story and of television production in the sixties in general.
• Designing the Aztecs - Designer Barry Newbery talks about his work on the story, illustrated with many never-before-seen production drawings and photographs from his personal collection.
• Cortez and Monezuma - An extract from a 1970 ‘Blue Peter’, introduced by Valerie Singleton on location in Mexico, giving historical background to the Aztec belief in human sacrifice.
• Restoring the Aztecs - A short featurette demonstrating the restoration and videoisation effects used for the release. With subtitles.
• Making Cocoa - An animated guide to making cocoa the Aztec way, voiced in character by John Ringham as Tlotoxl and Walter Randall as Tonila, with both characters animated and presented in ‘South Park’ style…!
• TARDIS-Cam no.3 - The third of BBCi’s TARDIS-Cam shots.
• Photo Gallery - production, design and publicity photos from the story
• Intro Sequences - The umbrella story title ‘The Aztecs’ does not appear on any of the episodes, so for (outdated now) BBFC compliance a caption card with the title has been provided. To add interest, six versions have been provided, each with a different voiceover, in character, from three of the actors involved in the production. The intention is that the disc will randomly select one of these six sequences and play it out at the appropriate point as the disc producer sees fit. One suggestion is that the caption plays out the first time an episode is selected for play.
• PDF Material – Ratio Times listings in Adobe PDF format for viewing on PC or MaC
• Programme subtitles.
• Subtitle Production Notes (new for this release).

Disc 2
• Galaxy 4 – a shortened reconstruction of the missing story ‘Galaxy 4’, using off-screen stills, audio recordings and animation plus the recently recovered complete episode three to tell the story. Supplied as one compilation, please add chapter points as necessary, although no menu-driven chapter selection is really necessary. Certainly there should be a chapter point at the beginning of episode three, plus the usual five chapter points through that episode as normal, all others at the producer’s discretion.
• Chronicle – The Realms of Gold – John Julius Norwich’s superlative 1969 retelling of the story of the Spanish conquest of Mexico and the Aztecs, which also features music by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop .
• Dr. Forever! – Celestial Toyroom – the first of a new five-part series introduced by Ayesha Antoine looks at Doctor Who toys. With original series producer Verity Lambert, new series creator Russell T Davies, writers Mark Gatiss, Rob Shearman, Paul Cornell and Joseph Lidster, BBC Worldwide product licensing executive Richard Hollis, product approval executive Dave Turbitt and ex- range editor Steve Cole, Audiogo commissioning editor Michael Stevens, Character Options’ Alasdair Dewar, DWM’s toy reviewer Jim Sangster and last, but by no means least, Doctor Who’s very own Winston Churchill, actor Ian McNiece.
• It’s a Square World – the very first Doctor Who skit (as far as we can ascertain), with Clive Dunn in full First Doctor costume as a scientist demonstrating his new space rocket to Michael Bentine, resulting in Television Centre being launched into space! Features cameo appearances by Patrick Moore and Albert Steptoe.
• A Whole Scene Going – an excerpt from a recently recovered edition of the sixties music and arts programme, featuring an interview with director Gordon Flemyng and a behind the scenes look at filming of his movie Daleks’ Invasion Earth: 2150 AD.
• Coming Soon - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
• Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.
• Programme subtitles.

Dark Bunny Teeshave announced the launch of the first two designs in their officially licensed, 50th Anniversary Eleven Doctor range, which will be available exclusively through the website from today. Visit the website HERE.

Dark Bunny Tees will be celebrating 50 years of Doctor Who by releasing two designs a month; one inspired by each of the Eleven Doctors and the other inspired by a classic & iconic monster. These strictly limited edition t-shirts will also come with an exclusive post card with 12 to collect throughout the year.

In January they celebrate The First Doctor, William Hartnell and the iconic Daleks, with designs inspired by the classic episodes An Unearthly Child and The Dalek Invasion of Earth. Available in both men’s and women's t-shirts.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The BBC have announced some cast details for the drama celebrating the genesis of Doctor Who from writer Mark Gatiss, An Adventure In Space & Time. Actor David Bradley (Dinosaurs On A Spaceship) has been announced as The First Doctor William Hartnell whilst Sydney Newman will be portrayed by Brian Cox (The End of Time), Verity Lambert by Jessica Raine (Phantom of the Hex) and An Unearthly Child director Waris Hussein will be played by Sacha Dhawan (The History Boys).

The one-off 90-minute BBC Cymru Wales produced drama is written by Mark Gatiss, who will also act as executive producer alongside Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner. Filming begins at the beginning of February at Television Centre before moving to Wimbledon Studios. It is produced by Matt Strevens (Misfits) and directed by Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad).

Monday, January 28, 2013

Former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston is to star in an upcoming radio production of the classic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. The series, based on the George Orwell book of the same name, stars Eccleston as the main protagonist Winston Smith alongside Tim Pigott-Smith (The Claws of Axos and The Masque of Mandragora) and Pippa Nixon; click on the images included here for bigger versions.

As announced previously, the BFI are screening the classic Doctor Who story The Tomb of the Cybermen on Feb 9. The guests for the event which includes a Q&A include: Anneke Wills (Polly), Deborah Watling (Victoria Waterfield), Shirley Cooklin (plays Kaftan in Tomb of the Cybermen), Bernard Holley (Peter Haydon in Tomb), Michael Kilgarriff (Cyber Controller in Tomb), director Michael Ferguson (The War Machines, The Seeds of Death, The Ambassadors of Death and The Claws of Axos) and son of Patrick Troughton, Michael Troughton.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Here it is! Blogtor's personal countdown of his 50 favourite Doctor Who television stories, one a week till the big day in November 2013. Now, just to point out, this choice is purely my own. So don't expect reasoned debate or objectivity. Or even the need to please every fan out there. This is my list, and I stand by it. I will also add that I've seen every Doctor Who story released (at least twice), so I feel like I know what I'm talking about. Anyway, enough chittle of the chattle, let's begin...

44. Carnival Of Monsters

First broadcast 27/1 - 17/2/1973 starring Jon Pertwee

Like many people of my age, this was perhaps the first introduction to the Jon Pertwee era through the BBC Two series, The Five Faces of Doctor Who (where stories from each Doctor were broadcast in the lead up to The Fifth Doctor's tenure). It's a great, if slightly misleading, introduction to The Third Doctor with miniaturisation, monsters, mystery, time loops and civil unrest all taking place in a fantastical story.

As a child, the colourful nature of Carnival (in terms of plot, characters and direction) captivated me (with some aspects of the tale going over my head - which I'll come to later) and it really is an old-fashioned style of story - The Doctor and companion turn up somewhere and get into trouble. Simple. It's that simplicity that I love in so many Doctor Who adventures. There's no world-saving, there's no Earth doom, just a mystery to be solved and their own lives to be gotten away with.

Behind this "simplicity" is Who ledge, Robert Holmes. And his well-used trope of odd double-acts is instantly recognisable with such twosomes as the traveling carnival show people, Vorg and Shirna, and the two Minorians, Kalik and Orum. There's a Shakespearian style to the latter of those characters, and in part their performances, as their scheming and machinations take place with almost stage-whisper aplomb.

Countering the seriousness of the events on the planet (and in the miniscope), Carnival is a light old beast with lots of playfulness from Pertwee and Manning; their antics on the SS Bernice are most enjoyable. Likewise, the miniscope purveyors Vorg and Shirna make for a wonderful distraction. It's just all so damn colourful! (And I'm not just talking about their outfits.)

At the heart of the majesty of the story is the miniscope itself; such a simple and fantastic invention for the show (and later aped in the Tom Baker "classic" Nightmare of Eden). Like the TARDIS, it's a gateway into other worlds, and possible adventures. The thought of a tiny TARDIS and Doctor is delightful, but chucking in a well-realised monster (the Drashig) and some top location work is the proverbial cherry on the very tasty cake.

Carnival of Monsters was my introduction to the Pertwee era and is still my favourite of his time as the Time Lord. It displays a more whimsical and fun sci-fi feel to the proceedings which shows off The Third Doctor superbly but also the other-worldly possibilities that sometimes the show denies itself. Carnival *is* a carnival - a carnival of fun!

Friday, January 25, 2013

AudioGo have announced the details of the second in the Destiny of the Doctor audio series, check out the details of The Second Doctor adventure, Shadow of Death,below.It's available from February on download and CD (click on the cover for a bigger version).

Following an emergency landing, the TARDIS arrives on a remote world
orbiting a peculiar star – a pulsar which exerts an enormous
gravitational force, strong enough to warp time.

On further exploration the Doctor and his friends, Jamie and Zoe,
discover a human outpost on the planet’s surface, inhabited by
scientists who are there to study an ancient city. The city is
apparently abandoned, but the scientists are at a loss to explain what
happened to its sophisticated alien architects. The Doctor discovers
that something dark, silent and deadly is also present on the world –
and it is slowly closing in on the human intruders...

Doctor Who:Shadow of Death(Destiny of the Doctor 2) is an original adventure by Simon Guerrier, the creator of the science fiction series Graceless, and is available as a CD or download. It’s performed by Frazer Hines who played Jamie in the original TV series and Evie Dawnay (Wire in the Blood).

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Earlier today the BBC rolled out the new Doctor Who 50th Anniversary website - check it out HERE. It features guides to each Doctor, the companions, the monsters, clips from episodes, games, news and much, much more!

There will be all sorts of goodies on offer, kicking off with
music from The Caves of Androzani, the episode showing the
regeneration of The Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) into The Sixth Doctor
(Colin Baker). It was broadcast in March 1984 and in 2009 the episode
was voted the best in the history of the series by fans.

The music is
by Roger Limb and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, who have become
legendary for their innovative work in electronic music. The 25th of
March 2013 will see this seminal soundtrack released for the first time
on CD and Digital Download. Click on the cover included here for a bigger version.

In an exciting collaboration through time and relative dimension in space, BBC Worldwide Australasia and New Zealand Mint are offering a legal tender coin, and a series of collectible coins as a celebration of Doctor Who’s 50th Anniversary.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary, New Zealand Mint will launch a one-ounce silver .999 coin which features an engraved picture of the TARDIS, as well as a unique 50th Anniversary logo. The coin comes packaged in a 3D model replica of the TARDIS, which opens with the familiar sound. The coins themselves are issued by New Zealand Mint as legal tender, under the authority of the South Pacific Island nation Niue, making them a must-have item for fans to collect.

Later in the year New Zealand Mint will also release collectible coins featuring all 11 Doctors, from the first Doctor played by William Hartnell, to the current incarnation - Matt Smith. Further Doctor Who coin releases are also planned for 2014 and 2015.

The coins will officially launch at the World Money Fair in Berlin on 1 February and will be available for pre-order at the New Zealand Mint website www.newzealandmint.com from 24 January or via selected international coin distributors.

The Ultimate-TV, BBC Home Entertainment, and Columbia College are bringing Doctor Who screenings to Chicago beginning Saturday, January 26th. The screenings will be held at Columbia College Chicago from 1pm – 4pm on the last Saturday of each month and are FREE. Tickets are available HERE.

To kick off the 50th anniversary celebration of Doctor Who, there’ll be a special screening of An Unearthly Child and it will be immediately followed by a Q&A, a trivia quiz; a costume contest and special prizes will be given away, courtesy of BBC Home Entertainment.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

BBC Worldwide have issued details about next month's "Special Edition" DVD version of The Ark In Space. The two-disc set hits the streets in the UK on Feb 18, with an RRP of £20.42. You can click on the cover for a bigger version and check out the special features below

Yesterday, Blogtor was invited along to the Toy Fair in London to chat with Character Options - the company that produces so many great Doctor Who figures and toys. I got to have a look at the some of the great items coming in 2013 which include Doctor Who Series 7 Part 2 products and a celebration of the 50th Anniversary.

For Series 7 Part 2, Character Options will be releasing a new 3¾ inch figure range, including The Doctor, Clara, a Cyberman, Weeping Angel and more - this range will hit the streets in June this year. There will also be some new play sets including a Weeping Angels set (New York from The Angels Take Manhattan) and a Dalek playset, set in battle-scarred London.

Sticking with playsets, there are three new 5 inch scale sets: The Invasion of Time, The Invasion and Asylum of the Daleks; each featuring the relevant Doctor and an enemy. While we're chatting "classic" Who, the Eleven Doctors box set will be updated with new designs for each regeneration.

To accompany the new size 3¾ inch figures will be a new scale Spin and Fly TARDIS with motion-activated interactive sound-effects. A new range of Sonic Screwdrivers will be released including The Third, The Fourth, The Tenth and River Song's Future Sonic. And just check out the very special Union Flag Dalek to celebrate the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary.

In the Character Building range to look forward to are the new TARDIS console set, a Cyberman Speeder Mini Set and a Dalek Skimmer Mini Set along with many new figures and figure packs. For kids, there will also be a set of Mashems featuring four Doctor Who monsters.

The BBC have announced that Doctor Who Series 7 Part 2 will start airing from Saturday March 30 on BBC One. Both BBC America and Canada's SPACE Channel have announced that they will be airing episodes on the same day.

Included here is a promotional picture of Matt Smith (The Eleventh Doctor) and Jenna-Louise Coleman (Clara) - click on it for a bigger version. Matt is about to direct his first film for Sky Arts later this week, details HERE.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Two familiar faces from the world of Doctor Who are soon to be seen in a new web series, which begins shooting later this week. Titled 3some, it stars: Annette Badland (pictured left) who starred in Aliens of London, World War Three and Boom Town; and Simon Fisher-Becker(pictured below) who starred in The Pandorica Opens, A Good Man Goes to War and The Wedding of River Song.

The series also stars Edmund Dehn, familiar to many as numerous characters in the ITV children's show from the Eighties, Knightmare.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Here it is! Blogtor's personal countdown of his 50 favourite Doctor Who television stories, one a week till the big day in November 2013. Now, just to point out, this choice is purely my own. So don't expect reasoned debate or objectivity. Or even the need to please every fan out there. This is my list, and I stand by it. I will also add that I've seen every Doctor Who story released (at least twice), so I feel like I know what I'm talking about. Anyway, enough chittle of the chattle, let's begin...

45. Spearhead From Space

First broadcast 3-24/1/1970 starring Jon Pertwee

What a glorious thing it is to watch a whole four episodes of "classic" Doctor Who on lovely, lovely film. Due to the crazy socialists at the BBC (or whatever they were, I forget), we got Spearhead From Space filmed on actual film and it certainly does make a difference to the proceedings.

Though after watching Spearhead, you're spoiled and possibly, like me, you'll find yourself watching other old skool Who wishing the same treatment had been given. Anyway, I digress from Jon Pertwee's first outing AND the first colour Doctor Who on telly! (Pedants note: I am aware the two Dalek movies were in colour.)

We're also introduced to new companion Liz Shaw (pictured right); who, to be honest, is a bit snooty in this tale. She makes for a formidable companion to The Doctor, who takes an immediate shine to her, but her attitude towards Lethbridge-Stewart is just a tad acerbic. Having said that, the man can be a bit of a bore.

It's a cracking first episode, full of Quatermass-esque mystery; falling stars and a countryside invasion. Delicious. The film work really adds an edge to these moments. Similarly, there's some fantastically un-Doctor Who-y moments when aforementioned UNIT man has to fend off questions from the press. The nature of the hand-held camerawork really adds an urgency to the scene whilst also places the narrative firmly in reality with its almost gritty television style journalism. In terms of "modern" telly, it's nothing remarkable but those familiar with the show will know just exactly how striking this little scene is.

As with a number of regeneration stories, The Doctor doesn't get much of a look-in though we do get too see quite a lot of the Time Lord (some hot steamy shower action, no less!). Pertwee's portrayal is partly defined by his adorable arrogance but here we get to see a different side to his character - take note when he can't leave in the TARDIS. His childlike frustration and sadness

But it's the Autons themselves who really sell this baby (and no wonder the plastic guys and gals got a sequel so quickly). From one sole blankless face in the wood to their shop window massacre, these guys are the real deal. They're also expertly shot and the street scenes as they blast their way through humanity is one of Who's finest.

The same cannot be said for the Nestene, however, but that's really the only "downside" in a story with so many wonderful performances (lile Who stalwart John Woodnutt again), eerie and uncanny people (so shiny!) and magnificent "monsters". And all with a new Doctor Who and companion! AND in colour! AND on beautiful film!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Totally Serialized, England’s only TV series festival, is underway and this Saturday sees a very special event - a Doctor Who Night! The evening starts at 7pm on Jan 19 during which three of the scariest episodes post-2005 will be screened: The God Complex, followed by a Q&A with Toby Whithouse, Blink and Midnight. There will also be guests, drinks, costumes, music and a Doctor Who quiz hosted and written by Blogtor! Buy tickets HERE.

Please Note: a handful of tickets have just been released for this event after it initially sold out.

The BBC have released a promotional picture of actor Paul McGann (The Eighth Doctor) in the daytime series, Moving On - click on the image for a bigger version. The episode will be broadcast on January 31 on BBC One.

Broadcaster Sky have announced that Matt Smith (The Eleventh Doctor) is to make his directorial debut for the Sky Arts series, Playhouse Presents. His film is called Cargese and begins filming next week with an air date of April 25.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Uh-oh, get the hankies ready Blog~a~trons for Blogtor has collected up his favourite moments in Doctor Who that melted the cold hard circuitry of his unloved titanium computer core. So here are eleven times in Whostory that got old Blogtor teary the most. Set eyes to blub...

11. "Did I also mention it also travels in time?" Rose, 2005

We were only forty-odd minutes in to the new series and I started welling-up. And what caused this outburst? A flippin' slow-motion sequence. So easily manipulated was I. Yup, as Rose ran towards the TARDIS, after her Auton adventure, the tears started to come. But why? This isn't a particularly heartstring-tugging moment, many of you might be saying (or typing in the comments section). No, but it was at the end of this story, whilst Rose was slow-mo-ing towards the Time Lord's ship, where I realised that Doctor Who was back, really back - something I had waited a long time for. And on the evidence of this first episode, it was something I was going to care about deeply. Already less than an hour in, and my heart was full of strange feelings, not normally associated with the show....

10. "Quite right too." Doomsday, 2006

I know this was a kicker for many, many people (most probably at the top for a great number of you) and it's still an incredibly powerful watch all these years on. Bad Wolf Bay was the scene of one of the most remarkable scenes in Whostory - The Doctor was clearly in love with his "companion". The final ten minutes or so of the Series Two finale were emotionally challenging and charged as television's favourite couple save the Earth (both of them) and were then separated by, well, whatever separates Parallel Universes. [I think that's "Void Stuff" - Ed.] Poor little Bills blubs away, declaring her lurve for Davey T, yet he goes all Han Solo on her simply affirming what she says without a reply of his own (typical man!). Still, we all knew what the three words he really wanted to say were.

9. "Now I'll never know if I was right" Earthshock, 1982

Oh, Adric. Dear, dear Adric. Even in the face of death, his arrogance and petulance are as strong as ever - "if I was right." His last words, though affecting, weren't mawkish and were true to his character. Here, it's not so much the moment of his death but the aftermath. The stunned silence of the TARDIS crew (being repeated in every home in the land at the time) and the beautiful credits - smashed badge, no music. Devastating.

8. "Only forty three when she died." The Girl in the Fireplace, 2006

"My dear Doctor. The path has never seemed more slow, and yet I fear I am
nearing its end. Reason tells me that you and I are unlikely to meet
again, but I think I shall not listen to reason. I have seen the world
inside your head, and know that all things are possible. Hurry though,
my love. My days grow shorter now, and I am so very weak. God speed, my
lonely angel." *dabs hanky*

7. "It's stopped being fun Doctor" Resurrection of the Daleks, 1984

Now this is quite the goodbye scene. After the bloodbath that was Resurrection of the Daleks, comes a slightly disturbing moment when Tegan 'fesses up to not enjoying life in the TARDIS anymore (though, I'd actually like to know when she was having a good time!). It's disturbing as the Australian obviously hits a nerve with The Doctor, who is rather knocked for six when she reveals she wants to travel no more. The Time Lord pensively troddles off, leaving the Earth behind for some time. But what really gets the old tear ducts preparing for the wet stuff is Tegan's quick return revealing, that after her emotive and heartfelt speech, she didn't really want to go after all. Too late though, as the TARDIS vworps off into space and time.

6. "The finest painter of them all." Vincent & The Doctor, 2010

Despite the slightly manipulative nature of this scene, where The Doctor and Amy take Vincent Van Gogh to the future to see his own legacy, one cannot help but cry in equal parts joy and utter sympathy for the troubled artist. Yes, it may well have Athlete plugging away in the background (and foreground) and Richard Curtis may well be pulling a Love, Actually on us but it's such a tremendous outpouring of real joy and pain (the painter) mixed with the fictional (Amy's relationship with him). Of course, the Doctor's companion also has the extra layer of being in love with someone she can't remember. Tony Curran's performance in the episode is one of the finest in Doctor Who, hence why we care so much - Vincent is real, his pain is real. And his astonishment, bewilderment and then unbridled happiness are all real to us, and why it elevates us and hurts so much.

5. "Was she happy? In the end?" The End of Time, 2010

This is a most curious moment at the end of The Tenth Doctor's time in the TARDIS. Whilst visiting his previous companions and chums is perfectly understandable, Davey T's pit-stop to visit Verity Newman, great-grandaughter of Joan Redfern from the Human Nature two-parter, really adds an air of forlornness but also context to the proceedings. Much like The Fifth Doctor's final utterance of "Adric" whilst regenerating (revealing an unspoken guilt and regret that had laid heavy on his mind), here The Tenth reveals that Joan was indeed someone very special indeed. His query exposes his affection, which had remained hidden for some time, and the genuine care he felt for his one-time love. Verity responds positively to the question and asks, "Were you?" Unable to reply, the Time Lord moves on, glassy-eyed full of memories of what could have, or should have, been.

4. "Have a good life. Do that for me, Rose." Parting of the Ways, 2005

The Series "One" finale was full to the brim with heart-pounding scenes and Eccleston's regeneration was certainly emotionally-electric. But I have chosen the moment where The Ninth Doctor displays utter bravery ("Hope it's a good death") and selflessness - by sending Rose back home, unbeknownst to her, in the past and on Earth, in safety. He saves her, and his TARDIS, full in the knowledge that he's about to bite the big one. Speaking to her holographically, the Time Lord says, "let the TARDIS die. Just let this old box gather dust. No one can open it; no one will even notice it. Let it become a strange little thing standing on a street corner. And over the years, the world will move on and the box will be buried." It's almost as if Russell T Davies was talking about Doctor Who itself, as there was no certainty the show would continue when writing that piece of dialogue (incredible to think now almost eight years on). It's a beautiful and moving speech that displays everything good, positive and life-affirming about the world's greatest television show.

3. "Don't forget me!" The Hand of Fear, 1976

Similarly, though for a different reason, The Fourth Doctor had to return Sarah Jane Smith back to her home whilst he returned to his. After spending three and bit seasons with the curly-haired one, lovely Lis Sladen got a send off like no other companion in the "classic" era. The pair got to work on the scene and it shows. There's a genuine warmth and yet utter sadness behind what's happening; her plea of "Don't forget me" is delivered with a smile - a smile that undoubtedly hides an inner melancholy. Tom's "Till we meet again" may have seemed like a throwaway line but becomes prescient as Sarah Jane would indeed team up with The Doctor(s) again. Of course, the tears have no time to dry before the Time Lord's eccentricity has us giggling as the journalist had been dropped off in the wrong place. A perfect summing of their fun and strong friendship.

2. "That's not dying, 'cos a better world takes its place." Turn Left, 2008Though Donna's send-off, as it were, in Journey's End was deeply distressing (I don't mind admitting that I was utterly miserable for days after its broadcast), it was in this story, her finest moment, that reduces me to an absolute wreck every time. I mentioned bravery with the Ninth Doctor earlier and here we see it in abundance again from Donna who has completed her journey of self-obsessed Chiswick temp to saviour of the world. Her bravery is augmented by a scintillating performance from Catherine Tate who ponders, "The Doctor's world! And I'm still alive! That's right, isn't it? I don't die. If I change things, I don't die." But then her positivity soon changes as Rose's expression reveals all and the ravishing red-head pleads, "That's... that's right, isn't it?" All to the soundtrack of one of the most stirring pieces of music I've ever laid my ears on from Mr Murray Gold (another finest moment in this episode). It's the perfect storm of emotion, adrenalin and beauty.

1. "I did some things, it went wrong." The End of Time, 2009

Whenever Bernard Cribbins popped up in a scene in any Doctor Who story, I was immediately welling-up - no idea why, but that lurvable old chap just brought out the tears in me. And here, in The Tenth Doctor's opulent finale, it was so wonderful and so gratifying to see him back - especially side-by-side with everyone's favourite Gallifreyan, sitting in a plain old cafe, having a chat about this 'n' that.

Having said that, the rejoiceful feeling, emboldened by seeing Donna again, soon turned to sheer heartbreak as the Time Lord revealed his take on the awful events of The Waters of Mars. His fallibility and insecurities were on show for the world to behold, and Tennant's touching performance coupled with Cribbins fatherly assistance made for some of the most sorrow-filled seconds in Doctor Who's history. It's a simple moment, of two men in a humdrum greasy spoon, but a moment of huge honesty and ravaging, raw emotion; a conversation as powerful as it was enlightening. A moment that, for me, is still to difficult to actually sit down and watch, such is the woe that it still elicits.

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Feel free to leave your favourite moments in the comments section below. And pictures of ALL OF THE TEARS, please.*